
You’ve then got a lovely walk alongside the river until you cross the beck onto the Dales Way going south. Continue along the footpath into the fields on the edge of town, across Lickbarrow Road and towards Scout Beck. It’s a quick up and down before you’re back onto Helm Road and following the path towards Matson Ground. Start at Bowness Pier and head for the small hill of Biskey Howe. There’s an extended section along a busy road (with pavement) but otherwise this is a lovely route that experiences both the bustling town hub and the quieter countryside. To explore the area immediately surrounding Bowness, this circular walk is just perfect. Good for getting a feel of the area around Bowness


Simply walk as far as you fancy and then double back into town, or follow one of the other footpaths that lead off the route for a more circular option. This is a great option for a walk from Bowness because it follows an obvious track, takes in lovely countryside, and you can do as much or as little as you like. The route is well signposted and passes over small hills, through farmland and, if you travel far enough, along riverbanks. Start at the top of Brantfell Road, at a stone bench conveniently marked ‘For those who walk the Dalesway’. And, while you may not want to attempt the whole route (or maybe you do!), you can enjoy a very pleasant ramble along the Bowness section. The Dales Way is an 80-mile long-distance trail that stretches from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. Good for a flexible, easy-to-follow route At the top, take plenty of time to enjoy the panoramic views before descending back into Bowness. Then, simply follow the signposts all the way to the top: the fully tarmacked track has been specially made to be more accessible and is a Miles Without Stiles route. Carefully cross onto the signposted track that starts opposite Natwest and heads to the left. There are a number of ways up Orrest Head, all of which are relatively straightforward, but you should start by following Lake Road northeast out of Bowness and through Windermere to the junction at Church Street. If that’s not a good reason to climb it, we don’t know what is! This is the hill where author and fell-walker Alfred Wainwright is said to have really fallen in love with the Lake District. Good if you use a powered wheelchair or have a pram From here, you can head back down to the village in a circular route that eventually joins back with the Dales Way at the Post Knott signpost. Continue a short distance further to the peak of Brant Fell, where you’ll get even more amazing views.

Turn right at the signpost for Post Knott and follow the path until you reach the viewpoint, which takes in Windermere Lake over the trees. You can be up it and back down again within an hour (or longer if you want), so it’s perfect if you have a bit of time to fill before dinner.įollowing Brantfell Road out of town along the Dales Way, you’ll start a fairly steep climb as you head away from the shops. Good for rewarding views with minimal effortīrant Fell is a diminutive fell right on the edge of Bowness that nonetheless offers a spectacular viewpoint at the top. Please check the route thoroughly before setting off and make sure you have appropriate experience, clothing and equipment for the journey. Note: These descriptions are brief guides only. Read on for our pick of some of the best walks directly from Bowness-on-Windermere. There’s no need for cars, buses or boats here, just head out of the door of your holiday cottage and take in some of the spectacular scenery! If you’re after a pretty, challenging, or gentle walk directly from Bowness-on-Windermere, then you’re in the right place. On the shores of the lake, and surrounded by mountain scenery, it’s a haven for walkers looking for routes right from the centre of town. Bowness-on-Windermere is one of the most popular towns in the Lake District.
